Tomorrow we are taking off on a little getaway for our anniversary, but let me tell you it’s looking seriously different (thanks Covid19) than trips in the past. Usually, we fly somewhere tropical and relaxing to celebrate but this year we are heading out on a road trip! And guess what? I’m actually not disappointed, in fact, I’m almost MORE excited! I LOOOVE road trips! Growing up, almost every Spring Break my folks would plan a road trip. We drove everywhere, all throughout California, Arizona, Washington, Canada…and I loved it! I definitely was never the kid that asked “are we there yet?” because I was so enthralled with the journey, every moment was an experience in of itself. From the tiny towns we’d stop in for lunch, to the funky middle of nowhere rest areas, cherished memories were made. As I grew older and more independent in my travel planning, road trips always had a soft spot in my hear. Today, I’m sharing with you my top tips for road trips to make sure you have the best time ever!
Tip #1 – PLAN AHEAD
By far the most important thing to do if you’re planning a road trip, is to plan ahead! Especially as things stand right now, you’ll want to seriously consider where you are going to feel safe stopping for bathroom breaks, meal breaks, overnights, etc. etc. I suggest you put some energy into finding a hotel you know is taking all the extra precautions so that you will not get sick. Additionally, it will be important to map out how long it will take you to get to your destination, anticipate how many breaks you will need to take and pack your cooler for any lunch or snacks you might want, to avoid having to stop for food. Don’t forget face masks, Chlorox wipes, hand sanitizer, a few rolls of toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, plastic utensils!
Tip #2 – BRING A REAL MAP
Always pack a road atlas, even with GPS either on your smartphone or in your car, having a paper map is good insurance against getting lost. Even recently, on a trip to Eastern Oregon, we broke out the map once we realized our phones and car couldn’t pick up a signal. And, bonus, if you’re traveling with littles, they will get a huge kick out of tracking your progress on a map! Below are a few of my favorite road trip maps!
Tip #3 – KEEP FREE SPACE IN THE CAR
If you’re anything like us, one of the best parts about a road trip is all the art, wine and random dry goods we end up purchasing along the way. Last summer found us cruising home with an inflatable paddle board, random, but I was happy we had the extra room to bring it home! I usually save space by using a collapsible trunk organizer. It’s a great way to reserve space, and then also keep items you purchase along the way from rolling all over the car!
Tip #4 – ALLOW FOR SPONTANEITY
Don’t overly structure your road trip and keep in mind that the best parts of your trip will be the spontaneous moments! That’s why, as you book you’re nightly lodging in advance, underestimate your daily mileage to allow for the off-highway quests for “the best Covid19-friendly taco truck in Corning, California” or the unscheduled stops at small city attractions like our discovery of Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City!
Tip #5 – PACK LOTS OF SNACKS
If you know me well, you know I’m the BIGGEST snacker of all time. I literally live for snacks on snacks, so this car-snack thing is my specialty. This little trait of mine has come in handy now with Covid19 rearing it’s ugly head. It really eliminates the need to make a bunch of stops or try to find safe places to eat. So, whether you’re traveling with kids or not, your road trip should include lots of accessible, good-for-you snacks and food.
We have a Yeti cooler (best investment!) that I stuff to the brim with yummy snacks such a cut fresh veggies and hummus, vegetable juices, almonds, grapes, apples, mandarins, and even high quality cheeses and meats. We carry a few forks and knives as well as a travel cutting board and napkins, so we can always stop, stretch our legs and eat whenever we need. Of course, there is also the bag of bite size chocolate, lollipops and wheat thins that also come along, but we try to minimize the junk so our mood will stay brighter! I also pack my handy Stanley Thermos with coffee on the road, I love this thermos not only because it’s amazing at keeping my beverages hot, but it’s super nostalgic for me!
Here are also some of my favorite snacks!
Tip #5 – CHOOSE HOTELS WITH GRAB-N-GO BREAKFAST, OR AN ON-SITE RESTAURANT
While road tripping to your destination, save precious time in the morning by making sure whatever hotel you stay at offers a Covid-friendly grab-and-go breakfast or has an on-site restaurant, that you can get something quick for takeout (unless you feel safe eating inside restaurants at this time). This way, you’ll be able to get up and get going, allowing for more freedom and time along your travels. This also eliminates the Yelp search and decision making for “the best breakfast” while you’re starved. Check out this post on how to choose the best hotel!
Serious about your next road trip? Check out this blog post on how to plan the perfect road trip!
Happy Travels!
XO,
M
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